Darker, do I dare ask for a darker warm mic?

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SRR

SRR

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Got any suggestions for a darker mic? Would a V69ME fit in the darker category? How about the Hamburg? Something else that you like? I guess I want to be 30 or is 3,000 miles south of a C1 :eek: :D :confused: :confused: :confused:

Uses would be female vocals.
 
The Oktava MK-319 is an inexpensive microphone that is known for being "dark." I have other more expensive microphones but I still like it for my (male) vocals.
 
expatguy said:
The Oktava MK-319 is an inexpensive microphone that is known for being "dark." I have other more expensive microphones but I still like it for my (male) vocals.
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Yep that is one dark, and warm mic.
 
I have had a couple of those Oktava 319's over the years. They do tend to have a dark flavor to them, but the also have a really harash sounding sibilant top end to me. Alomost like they just sort of have a gap between the low mids and the highs rather than a steady decline in frequency response. In the past when I have wanted the clarity and dimension of a large diaphragm condensor with the extra top end that so many of them have, I have gone to an AT4050. To me the 4050 is a fairly neutral mic with a bit of a dark vibe to it.

Other than that for an affordable mic you may have to look into a dynamic or a ribbon mic in order to get a "darker" sound without some sort of sacrifice in quality.
 
I really like the sound of the 319 but what I noticed about the high end is that it wasn't sibilant but rather slightly distorted....very slightly.... I think the transformer in the 4050 is better and so it has a smoother high end.. I wish I could find a mic that sounded like the 319 but sounded better quality.
 
FALKEN said:
I really like the sound of the 319 but what I noticed about the high end is that it wasn't sibilant but rather slightly distorted....very slightly.... I think the transformer in the 4050 is better and so it has a smoother high end.. I wish I could find a mic that sounded like the 319 but sounded better quality.
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Falken has a good point. Maybe instead of a "darker" mic you just want one that's "less bright", which could well be simply smooth and neutral. And Falken is also correct about the high end of the 319. It is a bit ragged unless you do some modifications to the microphone.

Price range is always a factor. How deep are you planning to dip into your wallet? :eek:
 
FALKEN said:
I really like the sound of the 319 but what I noticed about the high end is that it wasn't sibilant but rather slightly distorted....very slightly.... I think the transformer in the 4050 is better and so it has a smoother high end.. I wish I could find a mic that sounded like the 319 but sounded better quality.
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have you tried the at 4047? i have that and an mk319 and i would say that the 4047 is similar in its grittiness (except noticably better and more versatile). i imagine the transformer must be better -- plus, the casing doesn't resonate like the 319.

also, i believe the 4050 is transformerless which may give it that apparent neutralness.
 
most people around here recommend dynamics or ribbons when you want vocals without the crispness of a condensor. think shure sm7, sm57, ev re20, sennheiser md441 or 421, beyer m88, and many others i'm sure. or if you want to try a ribbon, get a cheap chinese ribbon or go all out on a royer or something.
 
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hmm...i like the resonation....

I think two AT mics is enough for me is the problem....is the 4047 a straight LDC or does it have a tube or something?
 
What about one of the low cost Chinese ribbons?
 
Budget would be in V69ME range. I need/want something that is less sibilant in the 6-8K area. So yah a cheap ribbon or a sm7b would work.
 
FALKEN said:
hmm...i like the resonation....

I think two AT mics is enough for me is the problem....is the 4047 a straight LDC or does it have a tube or something?
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the 4047 is a straight up cardiod ldc, although it has a dual diaphram and output transformer. i'm not sure why it has a dual diaphram yet no switchable patterns, but it sounds pretty cool and "vintage". i actually use it on drums and acoustic instruments more than vocals now that i'm thinking about it. it's a lot different than the other at mics.

i'm in the same boat as you, as i'm considering the 4050 and the atm25 . . . do i need all at mics here?
 
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Just ordered a shiny box ribbon. Hope it works out as well as I think it will. Can't wait the 4-5 days shipping though... :(
 
SRR said:
Just ordered a shiny box ribbon. Hope it works out as well as I think it will. Can't wait the 4-5 days shipping though... :(
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Which one did you order?
 
expatguy said:
Falken has a good point. Maybe instead of a "darker" mic you just want one that's "less bright", which could well be simply smooth and neutral.
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Yup. Sounds like a perfect candidate for a ribbon to me.
 
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